I Want A Telephoto Lens!!!

j photogj photog Registered Users Posts: 124 Major grins
edited February 16, 2007 in Cameras
I shoot with a Nikon D50.
I'm curious about an affordable telephoto lens.
I just am shoppin' around...
Any ideas....? That aren't too lofty or over my head. :rofl
art is life

Comments

  • MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
    edited February 8, 2007
    It would help if you thought about what you want to shoot with your new lens.

    Do you want a fixed focal length prime lens or a zoom?
  • mr peasmr peas Registered Users Posts: 1,369 Major grins
    edited February 8, 2007
    I had this problem too when I first bought my camera. I wanted a nice telephoto that wasn't too costly with quality that wont make me regret buying it.

    I bough a Sigma 70-300mm 4.0-5.6 APO DG.
    Link to BH here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=396830&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

    For around $220 new, its a really good piece of equipment.
    Granted it will be somewhat soft at wide open apertures and towards 200-300mm, its not as sharp as it is at 70mm, you can barely tell the difference though. Its very minute.

    I usually shoot with it during daytime, at F8 or above, indoors, wideopen at 1600iso its not too bad either being handheld, but its definitely not made to shoot at low light.

    Overall for the price, its really worth it. Plus it comes with a pouch/lensholder and a lenshood from the get go. If you need sample images, PM me.

    Oh btw, it has really great macro capabilities, able to reach a good 1:2 magnification ratio. Makes it really fun to shoot bugs and flowers.
  • j photogj photog Registered Users Posts: 124 Major grins
    edited February 9, 2007
    mr peas wrote:
    I had this problem too when I first bought my camera. I wanted a nice telephoto that wasn't too costly with quality that wont make me regret buying it.

    I bough a Sigma 70-300mm 4.0-5.6 APO DG.
    Link to BH here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=396830&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

    For around $220 new, its a really good piece of equipment.
    Granted it will be somewhat soft at wide open apertures and towards 200-300mm, its not as sharp as it is at 70mm, you can barely tell the difference though. Its very minute.

    I usually shoot with it during daytime, at F8 or above, indoors, wideopen at 1600iso its not too bad either being handheld, but its definitely not made to shoot at low light.

    Overall for the price, its really worth it. Plus it comes with a pouch/lensholder and a lenshood from the get go. If you need sample images, PM me.

    Oh btw, it has really great macro capabilities, able to reach a good 1:2 magnification ratio. Makes it really fun to shoot bugs and flowers.

    Cool. Thanks for the advice. I'm pondering and pondering still. What do you all think about the above mentioned lens?
    art is life
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited February 9, 2007
    Of all the 3rd party lense mfg'ers out there I have only shot and been extremely happy with Sigma Lenses....B&H is a good source, but Ebay's Cameta Camera is where I have purchased all my cameras and lenses in the past 3 yrs and have been very happy there also....I have purchase many accessories from B&H over the past 20+ some years......

    A good starting place for all online purchases is to stop here at ResellarRatings.com....... to check out the various retailers your pricing thru and it is a good idea to shop around to see who has the best price.....because a lot of retailers will comp good prices.
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • seawolf66seawolf66 Registered Users Posts: 42 Big grins
    edited February 15, 2007
    tele lens
    To Me B&H are over priced you get the same service from adorama.com and lower prices, trust me I have bought from adorama, the price difference can be at least $100.00 less than B&H:
    But what you have forgot to give us is what type of shooting you going to be doing and if your on a budget, It he;lps a lot to give the proper info to recieve the proper answer! headscratch.gif for a telephoto I just bought myself the sigma 100-300mm F4 brand new DG version for under $850.00 and if I use a 1x4 converter its long enough for me: good luckthumb.gif
    seawolf66-

    “the farther back we look the farther forward we see.”—A. Theodore Kachel
    http://www.lauren-macintosh.com
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,130 moderator
    edited February 15, 2007
    seawolf66 wrote:
    ... trust me I have bought from adorama, the price difference can be at least $100.00 less than B&H: ...

    Sorry, I shop both B&H and Adorama, and after comparing prices at both places, B&H often comes out the same or less.

    Actual examples:

    B&H Canon 30D after rebate price: $1014.95
    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=6222&A=details&Q=&sku=423708&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

    Adorama Canon 30D after rebate price: $1024.95
    http://www.adorama.com/ICA30D.html

    B&H wins!

    B&H Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM after rebate price: $499.95
    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=351548&is=USA&addedTroughType=search

    Adorama Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM after rebate price: $499.95
    http://www.adorama.com/CA1785AFSU.html?searchinfo=canon%2017-85&item_no=10

    Tie!

    B&H Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS after rebate price: $1649.95
    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=234444&is=USA&addedTroughType=search

    Adorama Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS after rebate price: $1649.95
    http://www.adorama.com/CA70200ISU.html?searchinfo=canon%2070-200&item_no=7

    Tie!


    I shop B&H every chance I get and recommend them highly for many reasons, including price!
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • mr peasmr peas Registered Users Posts: 1,369 Major grins
    edited February 16, 2007
    Or do what some of us do, wander through the Buy & Sell forums here on Dgrin and FredMiranda.com for some good deals, haha. I have yet to buy something brand new from BH or Adorama. So far, I've been pretty happy with all my used purchases.

    I'm darn sure you will love the Sigma lens I mentioned. They work as both a great telephoto rangign up to 300mm and works great as a 1:2 macro lens. The only bad part is that its not the best use for low-light situations, you'll want at least an fstop of 2.8 to get down and dirty in the dark. If thats what you really want to do and make sure you have covered now and not later, definitely pick up a Canon 70-200mm F2.8L (IS or non-IS). Its the standard zoom for any professional or hobbyist...but also the most expensive, hah.
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited February 16, 2007
    Ziggy,
    While I agree with you that B&H and Adorama are pretty much the same (and both very good), for the large ticket items my primary shopping place is Fred Miranda's Buy&Sell forum. I saved hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on a quality used gear over there.
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • Scott MacKenzieScott MacKenzie Registered Users Posts: 24 Big grins
    edited February 16, 2007
    Maybe you can try Sigma4Less.com.
    I bought a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 APO DG last summer, (for Canon), and I am going to ask it to marry me on Easter.
    Wish me luck, and Good Luck to You.
    I like images that feel like I am the Walrus sounds.
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